Naked Science: Who's Looking at Your DNA?

Over two million of the UK population have their DNA profile stored on a police database. This automatically happens after arrest, whether or not a charge or conviction follows. Should the database be extended to include all of us to eliminate discrimination or is this a step too far? How could a database assist police in serious investigations? This event is the first in a series of debates on crime.

DNA matching has been hailed by police as revolutionary in helping to solve “cold cases”, where in some instances crimes have been unresolved for decades. Many high profile cases including the deaths of Sarah Payne and Jill Dando have also been solved through using the DNA database. However, when a DNA sample is taken after arrest, the data is kept indefinitely, whether or not a charge or conviction follows. Should the database be extended to include all of us to eliminate discrimination or is this a step too far?

Experts include Dr Helen Wallace, Genewatch who argues that the database should not include the whole population and data should not be kept on it for an indefinite period; Denesh Kara, Forensic Science Service talks about the use of DNA in supporting criminal investigation Paul Stickler, Chief Superintendent at Southampton will discuss the need to Recognise the need to balance an investigation against the protection of human rights and privacy and Dominic Bascombe, the Voice looks at the potential problems relating to ethnic discrimination. This event will be facilitated by Sue Nelson, Science and Environment Correspondent, BBC TV.

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